Introduction

Introduction

The Transmissions belong to the Genius. Before September 2nd, 1939 (entered in war of France against Germany) they are with the 18th regiment of the Genius.

September 2nd, 1939 the 18th Regiment of the Genius is dissolved and its units telegraphists and radios, been dependant on the fortification, are transformed into companies integrated into the Battalions of the Genius of Fortress. Thus in the SF of Boulay is created the 202T (or 202/81) for telegraphy and 202R (or 202/82) for the radio.

Badge of the 202/81, Lieutenant Raymond Claisse. The blazon, at a peak, is that of the town of Boulay.

Lt Raymond Claisse

Biography of Lieutenant Raymond Claisse

Raymond Claisse (1/13/1905 - 9/21/1988) was born in the department from the Meuse where his/her father was gendarme with horse.

After having made to its studies with the college of Bar the Duke it obtains the title of civil engineer of the State.

Then it makes its military service as sub-lieutenant in Mainz, in Germany, with the 42eRG (one is right after the Great War and certain German cities are occupied by the French Army).

Raymond Claisse

Then it directs the research department of the services of Navigation in Verdun. Then it is in charge of the subdivision of Châtillon on the Seine (Gold Coast).

After having carried out one military period on the Maginot Line, in 1939 it is mobilized with the 18eRG and affected with the 202T, lately made up, where it orders the fast section of unfolding.

On order of its Staff, on June 20th, 1940 it deposits the weapons and is made prisoner.

In the convoy of prisoners of war which lead it camp of Sarrebourg to Oflag IIIC where it is interned, it becomes acquainted with the cartoonist Georges Raynault with whom it binds friendship. After war this last will dedicate its book of drawings to him “I am a prisoner”

After a few months of captivity Raymond Claisse is repatriated at the request of the mayor of Châtillon on the Seine. Indeed, the city had been destroyed to 50% during the combat of 1940 and the mayor needed his engineer. However Claisse did not remain less prisoner of war about it and must point regularly at the German military command.

In 1950 it is then in charge of the subdivision of Meknès suburbs in Morocco, until 1956, date on which it returns to France to be in charge of the first work of drain of the Moselle. He will be then divisional engineer in charge of the Service of Public Constructions, then, until his retirement, of the direction of the Northern District of the Infrastructures of the department of the Moselle.

Deliver of Georges Raynaud

Deliver humorous of Georges Raynaud

To the camp of Sarrebourg, to Oflag IIIC where it is interned, Lt Raymond Claisse binds friendship with the cartoonist Georges Raynault. This last will dedicate its book to him on Oflag.

First pages of the dedicated book with Raymond Claisse

Cover of the book Introduction Dedication Manuscript of the general June. Letter addressed to Georges Raynaud and inserted in his book.

Etc because there are 54 boards! Perhaps you will be likely to put the hand on a specimen of this rare book, in a specialized bookseller, or on sale on Internet, but the drawings will not be color! Indeed…

… The colors are the fact of my father who had started to pass the boards to the watercolour, as one finicked the plans of architect formerly. (Jean-Pierre Claisse)

Anecdote

Wild boar

Anecdote in connection with a wild boar

Look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves, even in an army in shift.

A beautiful rifle shot!

“The poaching does not report only some stray hares. A man of the section of lieutenant Claisse thus had the occasion to cut down with the snap hook a wild boar of an exceptional size. Far from formalizing this act which, in the civilian, had brought back to his author some troubles with Justice, the military authorities dispatched on the spot of the officer of Intendance to weigh the animal and to deduct, by the same occasion, of the rations of the 202ème Telegraphic Compagnie, the quantity of corresponding meat.” (Jean-Pierre Claisse)